Which table saw (yet another table saw thread)

[hellofellow]

Hi Guys,

This is my very first post. I am like many others, a hobbyist who currently is doing small repair work, boxes etc. I am on the search for a table saw.

I would mainly be doing small work, however would like the option to push it to its limits on rare occasion and maybe dabble in smaller furniture units.
I am currently renting and have a garage but am limited for space and need to be able to move it ( relatively easily) if I move house.

That being said I have set a strict budget 600-700 max. I would love to bend that budget like so many before me and go for a carbatec or Jet but really cannot afford to, particularly with the space and portability issue.

I guess I am happy to replace saw blades ( that a given at this level) but would love the best fence I can get for the price. I would also really like to be able to install a dado blade set.

That being said I have seen some saws come up commonly in reviews etc: BoschGTS10, Bosch 4100, Makita MLT100 and 2705 and a Metabo250/254. These all can be found on ebay/amazon etc around my budget.

So that being said... Which is the best?, which can do dados/ has the better fences? Any brands I have missed?
Also a strange question many people hear shy away from American routers/saws due to the 120v power. Could I purchase a saw/router off ebay ( at better price) and buy a simple 240v converter? I have done this before for smaller electronic items like cameras etc, just not sue how its work out on work tools?

Thanks so much. Am looking forward to learning here!

[Benwoodgo]

G'day Hellofellow,

Having just been through a similar process of budgeting for and researching tools/machinery to setup a small shop all i can say is read read read and then do a little bit more reading. There is a massive amount of info on this site to help you decide on your best course of action.

Given your budget i think your best bet is to keep an eye on ebay for as long as you can hold out for. Something will come up. There is a Carbatec contractors saw on there right now for $500 in Sydney that might be worth looking at. Might have trouble finding a cheap second handy that's got enough guts to take a dado set though.

Have you considered forgetting the TS and going for a small bandsaw? If money and space etc is an issue you might get more bang for buck and it might be a bit more versatile..... google "Table saw verses Bandsaw", it might give you some ideas.

Goodluck
Ben

[orraloon]

Hare and Forbes have this on sale.
W452 | SB-12 Table Saw | machineryhouse.com.au
It is slightly more than your budget but has the potential to do all that a home woodworker needs. Those small plastic body saws just wont handle the odd large cut. Ok for very small jobs. Other way as has been said is look for a good second hand table saw or contractors saw. I had better say that I have no connection to H&F other than having got stuff there sometimes. A contractors saw (cast iron top)is the starting point in propper woodworking table saws. Those pressed metal or ally and plastic jobs will always be hard to make square accurate cuts. Look for a flat top and a fence that locks nice and rigid. As for dado blades they are sort of discouraged everywhere outside the USofA on safety grounds. I have one and while it works well it is a pain having to keep changing blades all the time so I seldom use it. If I had space for another saw then happy days. A router will do for rebates and trenches.
Anyhow good luck with the search.
Regards
John